One of these images is likely what comes to mind when you hear the word "superyacht," a phrase generally used to describe a yacht over 80 feet in length.
While ultra-luxurious vessels are associated with all things carefree, tragic events such as the sinking of the Bayesian superyacht off the coast of Sicily on Monday is a reminder that yachting is a pastime with unique risks and nuances. It's unclear what the protocols were on the Bayesian.
For those keen on the idea of chartering a superyacht, captain Kelly Gordon, 42, told Business Insider there are a number of important factors to consider before hopping on board.
Gordon fell in love with yachting after she stepped aboard a yacht for the first time in her mid-20s.
Hellbent on reaching captain level, Gordon quickly worked her way up the chain of command. She's spent most of her time sailing the Bahamas and the Caribbean and is now based in Florida, where she works as a captain on a 108-foot-long privately owned vessel.
Gordon, who has over 12,600 followers on Instagram, shares three factors to keep in mind before boarding a chartered superyacht.
Think of the process of chartering a superyacht as buying a house
One of the most important things to do when chartering a superyacht is to work with a charter broker, Gordon says.
"The charter manager's job is to No. 1: find you a safe boat," Gordon said, adding that in her experience, "Not all programs put safety as high up on the list as it should be."
She also likes to equate charter brokers to Realtors in that they take on the role of finding you the best option for your taste.
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